Negative pressure slider with optimized leading pocket for profile control

Abstract

Disclosed is a negative pressure air bearing slider having at least one trailing edge pocket defined by a generally U-shaped rail open to the trailing edge of the slider, and at least one leading edge pocket defined by a generally U-shaped rail open to the leading edge of the slider. Also disclosed is a method for determining an optimal width for a leading edge pocket of predetermined length and depth to provide a flat fly height profile in combination with a trailing edge pocket of predetermined dimensions. For a given trailing edge pocket configuration, width optimization is achieved by constructing a number of prototype sliders, each having a unique leading to trailing edge pocket width ratio; measuring the inner and outer diameter fly heights for each prototype to obtain ID and OD fly height profile curves; and determining a leading edge pocket width corresponding to the point of intersection of the curves.

We claim: 
     
       1. A negative pressure air bearing slider for use in a disk drive, said slider including an air bearing surface, a leading edge at which an airflow of variable velocity enters said air bearing surface, a trailing edge from which said airflow exits said air bearing surface, and first and second side edges, said air bearing surface further comprising; a TE pocket defined by a first generally U-shaped rail including a first cross rail, and a first pair of side rails extending from said first cross rail in the direction of said trailing edge;   a LE pocket of predetermined width defined by a second generally U-shaped rail including a second unvented cross rail, and a second pair of side rails extending from said second cross rail in the direction of said leading edge; and   a center rail extending from said first cross rail to said trailing edge, said center rail partitioning said TE pocket into first and second negative pressure regions, the amount of said airflow entering each of said first and second negative pressure regions being determined by said predetermined width of said leading edge pocket and the velocity of said airflow.   
     
     
       2. The slider of claim 1, wherein the depth of said LE pocket is substantially equal to the depths of said first and second negative pressure regions. 
     
     
       3. The slider of claim 1, wherein said first and second U-shaped rails share a common cross rail. 
     
     
       4. The slider of claim 1, wherein each of said first pair of side rails is adjacent to a different one of said first and second side edges. 
     
     
       5. The slider of claim 1, wherein each of said second pair of side rails extends to said leading edge and includes a noncoplanar portion adjacent to said leading edge. 
     
     
       6. The slider of claim 1, wherein each of said second pair of side rails is adjacent to a different one of said first and second side edges.